“We are excited to have Ann Killets join our School of Education and Behavioral Studies,” Dr. Kloba said. “Her wisdom, significant experience and demonstrated capacity to positively impact individuals, teams and organizations will strategically assist in the ongoing development of our already stellar undergraduate and graduate programs. She also will assist in the development of new leading-edge educational initiatives.”

In her new role, Killets will have duties and responsibilities in two broad categories: leadership and administration. She will work directly with the dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Studies to develop and implement new, creative academic programs and improve the quality of this state-approved education program.

“I believe having Ann Killets on our team of educators is a perfect mission fit,” said Dr. Gene Sale, dean of the School of Education and Behavioral Studies. “Whenever her name is mentioned, I hear the qualities of integrity, humility, consummate professional, leader. In our Education program, which is known for excellence, I believe having a person of Ann’s experience and stature in the community will likely take our program to the next level.”

Killets graduated cum laude from Troy State University with a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s in counseling and human development; she earned certification in leadership from Florida Atlantic University.

She came to Palm Beach County in 1979, during which time she served as a teacher, guidance counselor and assistant principal. For 10 years, she served as the principal of H.L. Johnson Elementary School, which at the time was the largest elementary school in the state of Florida.

She supported the Midlands communities as two additional schools were created from the initial core school, H.L. Johnson Elementary. Killets served as the assistant to Palm Beach County School Superintendent Dr. Monica Uhlhorn, and she began studying organizational dynamics of academics and operations of the ninth largest school district in the United States at the time. She remained in that position as chief of staff, chief of administration and chief academic officer.

Killets worked with five school district superintendents in Palm Beach County: Dr. Uhlhorn, Dr. Bernard Shulman, Dr. Joan Kowal, Dr. Ben Marlin and Dr. Art Johnson. Killets presented at the Model School Conference, and in 2010 was nominated for the Distinguished Award presented by the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches.

Furthering her commitment to communicating with other professionals regarding educational issues, she served as president of SUNSPRA, the Florida state media relations associations. She became certified as a family mediator, and she attended the Darden School for Executive Leadership at the University of Virginia with representatives from Palm Beach County as well as Broward County. She presently serves as a fellow for the Institute of Global Ethics founded by the late Dr. Rush Kidder.

During her tenure as chief academic officer, she represented 28 departments in seven divisions: Curriculum and Instruction, Grants Administration and School Reform Accountability, Safety and Learning Environment, Human Resources, Performance Accountability, Quality Assurance and Public Information, as well as four area administrative offices. She remained committed to the establishment of a strong single-school culture throughout the district.